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Hydraulic Cylinder Calculator

Calculate theoretical hydraulic cylinder force, piston area, oil volume, extension and retraction speed, and cycle time from bore, rod, stroke, pressure, and flow.

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Section drawing of a welded double-acting hydraulic cylinderHalf section, not to scale. Parts: cross tube, cap, barrel, ports, piston with piston seals and wear rings, rod, gland with rod seal, wiper and static O-ring, rod eye. A is the retracted length from pin center to pin center. B is the stroke. Flags mark common failure points: the rod surface, the gland seals and the barrel bore.ABRod surface: bends, scoring, pitting, corrosionGland seals and wiper: leaks at the rodBarrel bore: scoring and internal wearEnd view on the rod end: where C and D are measuredC: bore, or the barrel outside diameter measured across the barrel. D: rod diameter, measured across the rod.⌀C⌀D
Half section · not to scale Common failure points A–D: dimension fields in the request →

Results

Piston area—
Rod area—
Annulus area—
Extension force—
Retraction force—
Cap-end oil volume—
Rod-end oil volume—
Extension speed—
Retraction speed—
Extension time—
Retraction time—
Full cycle time—

Important: Results are theoretical. Actual cylinder force and speed can be lower because of friction, pressure drop, valve restrictions, efficiency losses, load geometry, seal condition, and other system factors. Do not use this calculator as a substitute for equipment manufacturer limits, engineering review, or safe hydraulic-system procedures.

What This Hydraulic Cylinder Calculator Calculates

  • Piston area
  • Rod area and annulus area
  • Theoretical extension force
  • Theoretical retraction force
  • Cap-end and rod-end oil volume
  • Extension and retraction speed from flow rate
  • Extension, retraction, and full-cycle time

Hydraulic Cylinder Force Formula

For extension, theoretical cylinder force equals hydraulic pressure multiplied by piston area. Retraction force is lower because the piston rod reduces the effective area on the rod side.

Extension force = pressure × piston area

Retraction force = pressure × annulus area

Hydraulic Cylinder Speed and Cycle Time

Cylinder speed depends on hydraulic flow and effective area. With the same pump flow, a typical double-acting cylinder retracts faster than it extends because the rod reduces the oil volume required on the rod side.

Need Help With a Real Hydraulic Cylinder?

If the calculation is part of diagnosing a leaking, weak, drifting, bent, or damaged cylinder, see the hydraulic cylinder leaking guide, repair vs. replacement guide, or repair cost guide.

For Denver-area repair requests, use the hydraulic cylinder repair quote page.

Browse all hydraulic cylinder calculators & tools.

Send Your Cylinder Details

  1. Send the equipment and cylinder details, symptoms, and photos.
  2. The request is evaluated for the likely repair path and fit.
  3. An independent hydraulic repair provider serving the Denver area may respond to confirm pricing, turnaround, and next steps.

Fields marked (required) are needed to send the request. Everything else helps but is optional.

Your contact details

A repair provider may use this to follow up about your request.

Denver is the primary focus. Nearby Denver-metro requests are evaluated based on the job, transportation needs, and provider coverage.

Equipment and cylinder

Include the serial number if available.

If available. Check the identification tag or stamped number. If there is no readable tag, photos and measurements can still help.

What the cylinder is doing
What problem are you having?
Is the cylinder already removed? (required)

No need to remove it first. An initial request can be made while the cylinder is still installed.

Approximate cylinder dimensions (if known)Optional

Take photos and measurements only with the equipment secured and pressure relieved. Do not place hands near a suspected high-pressure leak.

Where dimensions A and B are measuredA: retracted (collapsed) length from pin center to pin center, cylinder fully retracted. B: stroke, the distance the rod travels from fully retracted to fully extended.ABABABWhere dimensions C and D are measuredC: bore, or the barrel outside diameter (largest stage outside diameter on a telescopic cylinder). D: rod diameter, measured across the rod.⌀C⌀D⌀C⌀D⌀C
Approximate cylinder dimensions

Approximate is fine. Fractions such as 3 1/2 are OK. If you do not have measurements, photos and the identification tag or stamped number can still help.

Timing
Your timing or equipment-downtime requirements

Timing and turnaround are confirmed by the provider handling the job.

Photos

Clear photos of the complete cylinder and any visible damage. Up to 8 photos in total: JPG, PNG, WEBP or HEIC, up to 10 MB each and 40 MB altogether.

  • Take photos and measurements only with the equipment secured and pressure relieved. Do not place hands near a suspected high-pressure leak.
  • Images may contain metadata such as device or location information. If that information is sensitive, remove it before sending the files.

By sending this request, you agree that the details and photos you provide may be shared with an independent hydraulic repair provider serving the Denver area so the request can be evaluated and answered. See the Privacy Policy and Terms & Disclaimer.

Repair requests submitted through this site may be handled by an independent hydraulic repair provider serving the Denver area, depending on the job requirements and provider availability.

Request a Repair Quote Email contact@hydrauliccylinderrepairdenver.com